Inside the Psychology of Productivity

Leigh Buchanan, Editor-at-large of Inc. magazine, has reported on the latest science of what causes procrastination and what can improve workplace productivity.

Timothy Pychyl, a professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, calls procrastination an “emotion-centered coping strategy.” He suggests that if you understand what’s motivating (or–more accurately–demotivating) you, you can begin to address it. “Many of these emotions are not conscious,” says Pychyl. “So the first step is to have some awareness of how you are feeling. ‘Why do I keep not wanting to do this?’ “

And go read the article for these inspiring words of wisdom: “At its core, procrastination represents shoddy treatment of the one person who should matter most to you: the future you.”